wichita international

[milltownhunter]

I looking a buying a Wichita international pistol with 2 barrels 357 sm and a 7mm international I was wondering is there any market for the 7mm international barrel I am not interested in that cal. or could it be made in to a larger caliber

[Kraschenbirn]

The '7mm International' was an old IHMSA cartridge based on the .300 Savage case. There was also a '7R International that was essentially a 7mm Waters but with a .30-30 parent case rather than the .307 Win. and IIRC, the Wichita was available in both chamberings. If yours is the rimless 7mm Int, it can be rebored to about anything using a .473 rim diameter (7-08, .308 WCF, .358 Win. etc) and the 7R can easily be opened up to .30-30, .35-30, or .38-55.

Bill

[JSH]

I am sure this is the 1911 type gun.
If memory serves me correct, barrels are specific to a frame, so they will not swap like a TC.
7R as it was refered to (not very close to a 7-30) came about by using the 30-30 to clean up 7TCU chambers and the overly long neck cleaned up the generous throat of the 7TCU.

7mm international came about from the poor performance of the 7BR XP100 on 200 meter full footed rams. 300 savage brass was used. This was prior to the 7-08. A fair number of early 7BR XP's were rechambered to 7 International.

I think Wichita has been sold and relocated to Texas? I know a gent that ordered a brand new Wichita bolt pistol this past year. He had a lot of issues from the new owners build. Back and forth shipping and no satisfaction. Last I heard it went back and he was given a full refund. Parts and pieces may be tough to come by for the 1911 break open gun. I looked at one in the early 90's and parts had to be made at that time.